Dover Synagogue

and Jewish Community

Dover, Kent

Page created and formatted by David Shulman: 31 May 2007
Redesigned by Louise Messik: 24 December 2011

References to the Dover Jewish
CommunityAppearing in the Jewish Chronicle and other periodicals
Part 2, 1861 - 1883

Compiled by Harold Pollins

Jewish Chronicle, 5 April 1861 page 8

'THE REV. R.I. COHEN, of Sussex House, Dover, is in immediate WANT of a GERMAN
and HEBREW MASTER. Address, until after the 17th inst., at 6, Brunswick-square,
London'.
[repeated 12 April]

Jewish Chronicle, 5 April 1861 page 8

"WANTED, in a Ladies' School, a Jewess to act as
ATTENDANT to the Young Ladies, to take entire charge of their wardrobes, the
house-linen, &c., and to make herself generally useful in superintending the
domestic arrangements. Apply, by letter, to Marine House, Dover".

Jewish Chronicle, 5 July 1861 page 1

'REV.H. NEUMAN, of Dover, begs to acquaint his friends and the public in
general, that he has taken a COMMODIOUS HOUSE, No. 10, St. Martin's Terrace, in
the most healthy part of the town, within five minutes walk of the sea, and will
be most happy to accommodate those families who intend to visit Dover for the
season, and will also be glad to take charge of any children whose parents may
feel desirous of committing to his care'.
[repeated]

Jewish Chronicle, 20 September 1861 page 1

[Advert] [Heading in Hebrew: Acheinu beth
Israel Shemo]

'THE HEBREW CONGREGATION of DOVER,
though counting amongst the earliest in the United Kingdom, are exceedingly
straitened in Synagogue accommodation: and having long suffered every possible
inconvenience, arising from a deficiency of space in a place of public worship,
are desirous of ERECTING, in lieu of their present mean little Synagogue, which
is totally unworthy of the name, and equally unsuited to the growing wants of
the community, a HOUSE OF GOD, not only more commodious for their own members,
but likewise capable of accommodating the numerous co-religionists who annually
visit this now favourite watering-place.

Owing to the influx of visitors this
season, the want of room was painfully felt by all the worshippers during the
New Year festivals, and, indeed, so grievously limited in size is the present
building that the Congregation were, to their great regret, compelled sometime
before the hour of Divine Worship to send elsewhere several poor people - being
actually unable to find them standing room within the walls.

These circumstances make the
members of the Congregation feel it incumbent on them to redouble their efforts
for speedily supplying this urgent want; but they are neither numerous nor
wealthy; and though each has, according to his means, contributed towards the
desired object, and pious visitors have made liberal offerings, yet the
collective sum is still far from sufficient for the purpose, and the Dover
Congregation, therefore, now earnestly APPEAL for further ASSISTANCE to the
sympathising generosity of the Jewish public, feeing confident that its
benevolent aid, which is never withheld when the interest of our holy religion
is at stake, will not be refused in this real case of religious destitution.

The Rev. R. I. Cohen begs at the
same time to request all former pupils of his to exert themselves, on his
behalf, in this good work, not only by contributing themselves, but by
collecting as much as possible from their friends and acquaintances.

Dover, September 10, 1861 - 5622.'
[repeated several times with list of donations]

Jewish Chronicle, 11 October 1861 page 5

'CHRISTIAN LIBERALITY. - A correspondent writes
from Dover: We have this day succeeded in obtaining a piece of ground from the
Lord Warden and Commissioners of Dover Harbour for our own synagogue. It is
virtually a gift, but the Act of Parliament forbidding the Harbour Board
changing leasehold property to freehold without payment, they have charged us a
nominal price. The situation is one of the most fashionable in the town, and the
ground is considered very valuable'.

At Board of Deputies. Correspondence from Dover
Congregation. Lord Palmerston, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and
Commissioners of Dover Harbour have presented to the Jewish congregation 'a most
eligible site of ground for the erection thereon of a synagogue'.

Jewish Chronicle, 7 March 1862 page 7

'THE REV. H. NEUMANN, of Dover, begs to acquaint his friends and the public that
he is prepared to receive a limited number of YOUNG GENTLEMEN into his
Establishment (which is situated in the most healthy part of the town, within
five minutes' walk of the sea), and where they will enjoy all the comforts and
careful tending of a home, as the number of pupils will be strictly limited.
Professors of high attainment are engaged to superintend the various classes,
and Mr. Neumann will himself take an active part in the scholastic duties. The
highest references given if required, and prospectuses forwarded on application
at No.10 St. Martin's -terrace, Dover.

The Quarter will commence from the day of
entrance. - Terms moderate'.

[repeated frequently throughout 1862 and 1863]

Jewish Chronicle, 21 March 1862 page 1

'SUSSEX HOUSE, DOVER

THE REV. R.I. COHEN begs to return his best thanks to his friends, both English
and foreign, for their kind support during the 25 years he has spent in his
scholastic carer, and informs that for the future it is his intention to take a
very few pupils only, at advanced terms.

The pupils will be fitted either for professional
or commercial pursuits, and will be prepared for passing the Oxford or Cambridge
local examinations, as the education given will be of the highest order, and the
system of instruction similar to that of the great English public schools.

Prospectuses will be forwarded on application'.

Jewish Chronicle, 21 March 1862 page 8

'WANTED by a Lady, a Jewess, coming from
Hamburgh, a SITUATION as GOVERNESS. She has been for more than two years
resident teacher in a first class school. Understands French and English well,
and in addition to her own language, can give instruction in the elementary
parts of Hebrew and Music. For address and references apply to Miss Cohen,
Marine House, Dover.'

Jewish Chronicle, 22 August 1862 page 6Quote from the Dover Telegraph

A new perfume, called Alicine, has been prepared
by Mr Lindon of the Medical Hall, Dover.

Jewish Chronicle, 12 September 1862 page 1

"WANTED, at Marine House, Dover, a respectable
PERSON (German preferred) to ATTEND to the Young Ladies' WARDROBES, to the
domestic affairs of the Establishment, and to make herself generally useful. For
particulars address as above".

Jewish Chronicle, 17 October 1862 page 5

Elected to office: Mr W. Greenwald, President

A.L. Vanderlyn, Treasurer

Jewish Chronicle, 17 October 1862 page 8

'WANTED at Marine House, Dover, a respectable
PERSON to superintend the domestic arrangements, attend to the young ladies'
wardrobe, and make herself generally useful. Apply, if personally, on Monday
morning next, the 20th inst., between the hours of 9 and 11 at 34,
Keppel-street, Russell-square, or by letter to Miss Cohen, as above'.

Jewish Chronicle, 24 October 1862 page 4

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS

Mr Vanderlyn of Dover considers himself ill-used
because JC persists in withholding important information. 'The question at issue
is, did the Rev. R. .I .Cohen head the Dover congregation while attending the
funeral of Lady Montefiore, as we, on the faith of a correspondent, originally,
stated; or was this most arduous task performed by the late President, Mr.
Barras, as insisted upon by Mr. Vanderlyn? ... If there be any squabble in the
Dover congregation, there is no necessity to drag the press into it'.

Jewish Chronicle, 14 November 1862 page 5

'DOVER. A MEMORIAL WINDOW. - We learn that Mr.
Samuel Isaacs, of 51, Onslow-square, South Kensington, has, in addition to his
donation towards the erection of the new synagogue, subscribed £50 for a stained
glass window with the Ten Commandments, to be placed over the Haychal [in
Hebrew], in memory of his much beloved son, the late Samuel Edward Harry'.

Jewish Chronicle, 16 January 1863 page 3

Visit of Sir Moses Montefiore to Dover. In
ill-health so unable to attend early morning service and had prayers read on
Tuesday afternoon at Sussex House. But was present at synagogue on Wednesday
morning. He visited the new synagogue and in addition to his gift of £115 has
promised to present a Sepher Torah, now being written in Wilna, in memory of his
wife Judith.

Jewish Chronicle, 17 July 1863 page 4

The new synagogue at Dover, 'the erection of
which Sir Moses Montefiore's munificence has so materially promoted' will be
consecrated on Monday 10 August. To be called Ohel Moshe [in Hebrew] (Tent of
Moses) alluding to his assistance. There will be placed in it a marble tablet in
memory of his wife.

Jewish Chronicle, 14 August 1863 page 1

At meeting of the Canterbury congregation held on
9 August: resolved unanimously that the omission by the Dover Committee of
Management to invite the older members of the Canterbury congregation to be
present at the consecration of their synagogue on 10th, in order to mark their
unanimous feeling that neither their President nor any members should attend.

Jewish Chronicle, 14 August 1863 page 5

Long report of consecration on 10 August,
abridged from the Daily Telegraph.

At Northampton Street. Erected by A.M. Cohen of
Eldon-street, Finsbury. Designed by William E. Williams of Ludgate hill. In the
Greek style. To accommodate 250 persons. Gallery on 3 sides and communication to
a committee room occupying the whole width of the building. Ark in the east;
above it are 2 stained-glass windows surmounted by a dome, richly ornamented in
blue, white and gold. At consecration many Christian visitors. Order of service
directed by Chief Rabbi. Music composed and directed by J. L. Mombach, choir
master of the great and branch synagogues'. After the service an excellent
collation in the Wellington Hall, Hurdby.

Jewish Chronicle, 11 September 1863 page 7

'UNSEEMLY REVENGE'

(From The Times)

Reference to protest by Canterbury congregation
about consecration to which only a few members of Canterbury were invited.
Recently a man named Joseph Abrahams of Cardiff visited his son in Dover, but
died there. Jews of Dover normally buried at Canterbury and Dover Jews pay
annual sum. For poor Jews who died only a nominal sum is required to be buried
at St Dunstan's. A man called Lazarus of Palace St, Canterbury, received a
letter saying body of Abrahams would arrive at 10-30 am. Lazarus called meeting
and resolved to demand 5 guineas. Telegraphed Dover but body had already left in
a light wagon. Canterbury Jews refused to bury the body and it was left on the
ground near entrance to burial ground. Clerk to justices communicated to the
'leading Hebrews' and body was removed to the 'death-house'. Interred the next
day. Canterbury Jews say ground is their private property and they can demand
whatever fee they think proper. The fee of 5 guineas was demanded 'to atone for
the slight, - at least so says the "Kentish Gazette".'

Jewish Chronicle, 18 September 1863 page 2

'OUR COMMUNAL WEEKLY GOSSIP'

From a correspondent. Whatever view is taken of
the 'Unseemly Revenge', the person who saw fit to trumpet it to the whole world
was culpable. It casts a reflection on the whole Anglo-Jewish community. There
was a black sheep in the Dover community.

Jewish Chronicle, 25 September 1863 page 6

Two letters

1. From Rev R.I. Cohen. Says that the article in
the Kentish Gazette did not emanate from a member of the Dover congregation.
The Dover congregation deeply regret the breach that has occurred between them
and Canterbury 'to whose burial ground they and their forefathers have
subscribed for 180 years'.

At the consecration of the synagogue invitations
were sent to every subscriber residing in Canterbury and also to the reader and
wardens. They were now trying to get a burial ground in Dover.

2. Long letter from 'A member of the Canterbury congregation'.

Inter alia, he says that the Kentish Gazette is
notoriously hostile to Jews.

The problem in Canterbury is that the burial
ground is filling up and Dover should have its own.

Dover should have telegraphed rather than sent a
letter re the body for burial. And as officers were away from Canterbury it was
hard to make a decision.

He sums up his argument:

a. Not activated by feelings of revenge

b. Not true that a member called a meeting when the body arrived. This was
impossible in the circumstances.

c. No magisterial interference took place

d. Not true that money was the object. They had refused to accept the two
guineas from the son knowing him to be a poor person, and they were disgusted
that the body had been placed at the entrance.

e. Not true that the body was placed on a public
road.

Jewish Chronicle, 16 October 1863 page 1

Letter praising the new Dover synagogue, from a
visitor. During the Holydays prayers were read by Revs Cohen and Newman (sic)

Jewish Chronicle, 20 November 1863 page 4

Sir Moses Montefiore arrived in Dover bringing
the Sepher Torah he had promised.

Jewish Chronicle, 11 Decmeber 1863 page 5

We learn from Rev R.I. Cohen that Mr Moses Joseph
of 46 Bedford-square who has been a munificent contributor to the new synagogue
and has collected sums - has now lent the congregation £400 to pay for their
debts, free of interest.

Jewish Chronicle, 1 January 1864 page 5

Quotes a correspondent (a friend of the Dover
congregation) to put on record the events leading to the new synagogue.

Town has had for many years a small congregation
and had a room 'in a miserable back street'. Within last few years more
residents and visitors and in 1861 at New Year the small room was inconvenient
to members and also to the 'highly-respectable visitors'. Rev R.I. Cohen, a
resident for 30 years, started a subscription to build a synagogue. Nearly £500
subscribed in a short time and eventually £1500 collected, the entire cost of
the building. The Lord Warden (Lord Palmerston) and the Harbour Commissioners
were solicited and they granted a site 'upon which has been erected a building
for its size and completeness unsurpassed by any synagogue in this country'.

Jewish Chronicle, 30 September 1864 page 5

Election of officers at meeting on 18th ult. Rev
R. J Cohen elected Parnass and Minhag [in Hebrew] the latter office including
that of Treasurer.

Jewish Chronicle, 13 January 1865 page 8

Quote from Daily Telegraph. Mr J. Ellis of
Brompton Hall, London, a gentleman of the Jewish persuasion, has distributed to
a great many respectable families in reduced circumstances meat tickets,
presentable at Mr R. Elgar's, butcher, Snargate St. Ellis is a frequent visitor
and is now staying to supervise a family mansion in the Folkestone Rd..

"THE REV. H. NEUMANN of Dover, begs to acquaint his friends and the public, that
he will be most happy to accommodate (with BOARD and LODGINGS) those families
who intend to visit Dover. Apartments without Board if required. 10, St.
Martin's Terrace".

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